Many of you will give or receive gifts or entertain or be entertained by those with whom you are doing business, have done business, referred business or one day may do business. What goes into your thinking when giving or accepting gifts?

Puerto Rico and Houston residents still suffer months after hurricanes devastated their communities. #MeToo hasn't gone away especially for housekeepers and others demanding "panic buttons." The flu is killing people across the US. With all that as a backdrop, let’s examine the extensive industry energy that is focused on Marriott’s reduction of third-party commission. It’s a greater amount of energy than I’ve seen directed toward the other issues.

We have an obligation to be smart about and up to date on the issues that affect us. We also have an obligation to work with our business partners upfront on all the issues that may impact our meetings, no matter how difficult it may seem. To not do so can be costly in dollars and reputation.